Feb 10, 2021Liked by Mitch Blum, Ken Warshaw, Don Lane
The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion is, without a doubt, the greatest album of my lifetime. I'm 47 years old and as much as I've listened to it since 1992 (which is basically daily), it still sounds as fresh and swinging today, as it did back then. If you don't tap/stomp your feet, beat up your steering wheel (while air drumming along with Gorman) or lose your voice singing along with Chris and the girls on this album, you definitely need to seek medical attention. The riffs, the solos, the breakdowns, the grooves - it all just works. Flawlessly. The Crowes roped me in when I saw the video for "Jealous Again" on MTV and I've been a disciple ever since. Seeing them perform these songs live only enhances the Crowes experience. As a "bedroom" guitar player, I constantly play (or at least attempt to play) the songs from this album. The opening riff to Sting Me is so much fun to play that I play it for hours on end. Same with Thorn and No Speak, No Slave. Their music is timeless and this album will continue to be my Salvation.
The ultimate criminality is people who think the Crowes are only She Talks to Angels or Hard to Handle, thanks to Top 40 radio in the early '90s. These people are missing out on the ultimate rock and roll band of the last century. It's criminal.
Exactly! The Morrison Line is the fine line between poetry and doggerel. Unlike the Mendoza Line, the Morrison Line moves around based on level of drunkenness.
Correction: Several Black Crowes fans (who had multiple heart attacks over this) pointed out that I could not have seen the Crowes at the old Boston Garden because they never played there. After consulting the internet and the collection of ticket stubs that occupy a large plastic cup on my bureau, I figured out why I made this mistake. Aerosmith made two Boston-area stops on their 1989-90 Pump Tour. The first stop straddled the new year (December 31, 1989-January 1, 1990) and took place at the Boston Garden. The second stop was at Great Woods in Mansfield, MA June 25-26. I attended the New Year's Day show at the Garden and the June 25th show at Great Woods. The Crowes, of course, opened the Great Woods show. The opener at the Garden was Skid Row who, after the Crowes, are probably Don's favorite band. So, no harm, no foul.
I believe that we all need to listen to people who have different opinions from our own. We can all gain knowledge from such things. Now is not one of those times. I love this album! If someone asks, "what do The Black Crowes sound like?" you play them Southern Harmony.
It is apex of their power. I love all Crowes music but there is no better ballad than "Thorn In My Pride". No better groove than "Remedy". No better song in their catalog than "My Morning Song". To me, that is the most Black Crowes song of them all. Don't know that they ever sounded better.
It wasn't just a perfectenschlag album start to finish, it held a mysticism over me, a whole frame of mind. As with many others, It created an entire soundtrack for my life since it's release. Individual songs show up in numerous mixed playlists of mine and are never far from rotation.
Great review Don. As you know I am very familiar with the Black Crowes with my dad being a big fan. He loves playing them just to piss off my mom. My mom does not like them so they get points for that. This is definitely their best album and is more robust than I remember. My highlight being the beginning guitar riff of Black Moon Creeping. The Crowes are probably one the last true rock bands and if they burst on the scenes today I would probably be more into them as a result of there being no good rock bands left. However, best album of the 90s? That’s very very debatable. There are many grunge rock albums that were more rockin, more memorable, and more creative. They had a much deeper and edgy sound. The thing about the Crowes is their music isn’t anything I haven’t heard before which I guess is OK seeing as a lot of rock ‘n’ roll it’s just bands ripping each other off. The problem is the Crowes music isn’t better or even as good as anything I’ve heard before. My Morning Song has Traveling Riverside Blues by Led Zeppelin written all over it. Remedy is almost a carbon copy of Chicago’s Feeling Stronger Every Day combined with Hey Bo Didley verses. The beginning of Hotel illness sounds a lot like Street Fighting Man by The Rolling Stones with generic harmonica added , and the beginning of Sting Me is very reminiscent of the beginning of Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (even the music video of this song is blatantly the same- check YouTube). Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye and Sometimes Salvation are as common sounding as rock music gets. I’m not saying the Crowes knowingly copy other people but like I said it’s nothing I haven’t heard before. The harmonica, the female background singers, the slowing the song down to bluesy guitar, the slide and steel guitar, the lyrics are all text book rock and roll that for me the Crowes never take to the next level. When I listen to the them I find myself thinking this song reminds me of another song. Chris Robinson himself is a walking rock and roll cliche. I just have always thought he lacked authenticity. I’m also convinced that the Black Crowes are The Georgia Satellites with a name change and the addition of a couple members. They are both from Georgia, sound almost exactly alike, and the Georgia Satellites came first. Just a conspiracy theory I have. I should like the Black Crowes I guess but they never have pulled me in. I do understand the appeal and respect you have for the band and I really did enjoy the concert we went to at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester New York about five years back. It was a good concert and their true essence is probably best captured in a live setting. Would always be up for doing that again if they’re in the area.
Looks like Valentine's Day is over because the love fest sure is. The Georgia Satellites? Oh boy. Better duck and cover, Don Wells. There's a storm coming. Although as long as you're here, ask @Don Lane about the Skid Row connection. He loves talking about it.
But in all seriousness, I think Don should listen to Amorica. While Money Maker was obviously heavily influenced by their heroes and Southern Harmony was a massive leap, Amorica was really when the Crowes established their bona fides as a totally unique band with their own sound and aesthetic. I picked Harmony because it is my favorite album ever, and it probably is so because it was from a band my age, with a fresh take, who could pull it off in studio and - to his point - on stage.
The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion is, without a doubt, the greatest album of my lifetime. I'm 47 years old and as much as I've listened to it since 1992 (which is basically daily), it still sounds as fresh and swinging today, as it did back then. If you don't tap/stomp your feet, beat up your steering wheel (while air drumming along with Gorman) or lose your voice singing along with Chris and the girls on this album, you definitely need to seek medical attention. The riffs, the solos, the breakdowns, the grooves - it all just works. Flawlessly. The Crowes roped me in when I saw the video for "Jealous Again" on MTV and I've been a disciple ever since. Seeing them perform these songs live only enhances the Crowes experience. As a "bedroom" guitar player, I constantly play (or at least attempt to play) the songs from this album. The opening riff to Sting Me is so much fun to play that I play it for hours on end. Same with Thorn and No Speak, No Slave. Their music is timeless and this album will continue to be my Salvation.
I'm picking up what you're putting down.
The ultimate criminality is people who think the Crowes are only She Talks to Angels or Hard to Handle, thanks to Top 40 radio in the early '90s. These people are missing out on the ultimate rock and roll band of the last century. It's criminal.
The Morrison Line! Like the Mendoza Line for lyrics? That is stellar
Exactly! The Morrison Line is the fine line between poetry and doggerel. Unlike the Mendoza Line, the Morrison Line moves around based on level of drunkenness.
As it should!
That being said, this record is a musical cornerstone for me. Just a wonderful, soulful rush of rock and roll. Raw and locked in. All time fave.
The production is absolutely incredible. The way it sounds. The separation of the instruments. It's like you're right in the studio with them.
Correction: Several Black Crowes fans (who had multiple heart attacks over this) pointed out that I could not have seen the Crowes at the old Boston Garden because they never played there. After consulting the internet and the collection of ticket stubs that occupy a large plastic cup on my bureau, I figured out why I made this mistake. Aerosmith made two Boston-area stops on their 1989-90 Pump Tour. The first stop straddled the new year (December 31, 1989-January 1, 1990) and took place at the Boston Garden. The second stop was at Great Woods in Mansfield, MA June 25-26. I attended the New Year's Day show at the Garden and the June 25th show at Great Woods. The Crowes, of course, opened the Great Woods show. The opener at the Garden was Skid Row who, after the Crowes, are probably Don's favorite band. So, no harm, no foul.
I don't think CJ has heard the famous Chris Robinson-Sebastian Bach sessions...
For the record, I hate Skid Row. I'm offended by the accusation
I love that you felt it was necessary to clarify that
I'm very protective of my #brand @cjkaplan
Nooooooooo!!!!!! :(
I believe that we all need to listen to people who have different opinions from our own. We can all gain knowledge from such things. Now is not one of those times. I love this album! If someone asks, "what do The Black Crowes sound like?" you play them Southern Harmony.
It is apex of their power. I love all Crowes music but there is no better ballad than "Thorn In My Pride". No better groove than "Remedy". No better song in their catalog than "My Morning Song". To me, that is the most Black Crowes song of them all. Don't know that they ever sounded better.
Agree to agree.
It wasn't just a perfectenschlag album start to finish, it held a mysticism over me, a whole frame of mind. As with many others, It created an entire soundtrack for my life since it's release. Individual songs show up in numerous mixed playlists of mine and are never far from rotation.
Great review Don. As you know I am very familiar with the Black Crowes with my dad being a big fan. He loves playing them just to piss off my mom. My mom does not like them so they get points for that. This is definitely their best album and is more robust than I remember. My highlight being the beginning guitar riff of Black Moon Creeping. The Crowes are probably one the last true rock bands and if they burst on the scenes today I would probably be more into them as a result of there being no good rock bands left. However, best album of the 90s? That’s very very debatable. There are many grunge rock albums that were more rockin, more memorable, and more creative. They had a much deeper and edgy sound. The thing about the Crowes is their music isn’t anything I haven’t heard before which I guess is OK seeing as a lot of rock ‘n’ roll it’s just bands ripping each other off. The problem is the Crowes music isn’t better or even as good as anything I’ve heard before. My Morning Song has Traveling Riverside Blues by Led Zeppelin written all over it. Remedy is almost a carbon copy of Chicago’s Feeling Stronger Every Day combined with Hey Bo Didley verses. The beginning of Hotel illness sounds a lot like Street Fighting Man by The Rolling Stones with generic harmonica added , and the beginning of Sting Me is very reminiscent of the beginning of Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (even the music video of this song is blatantly the same- check YouTube). Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye and Sometimes Salvation are as common sounding as rock music gets. I’m not saying the Crowes knowingly copy other people but like I said it’s nothing I haven’t heard before. The harmonica, the female background singers, the slowing the song down to bluesy guitar, the slide and steel guitar, the lyrics are all text book rock and roll that for me the Crowes never take to the next level. When I listen to the them I find myself thinking this song reminds me of another song. Chris Robinson himself is a walking rock and roll cliche. I just have always thought he lacked authenticity. I’m also convinced that the Black Crowes are The Georgia Satellites with a name change and the addition of a couple members. They are both from Georgia, sound almost exactly alike, and the Georgia Satellites came first. Just a conspiracy theory I have. I should like the Black Crowes I guess but they never have pulled me in. I do understand the appeal and respect you have for the band and I really did enjoy the concert we went to at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester New York about five years back. It was a good concert and their true essence is probably best captured in a live setting. Would always be up for doing that again if they’re in the area.
Looks like Valentine's Day is over because the love fest sure is. The Georgia Satellites? Oh boy. Better duck and cover, Don Wells. There's a storm coming. Although as long as you're here, ask @Don Lane about the Skid Row connection. He loves talking about it.
I've heard this before from Don Wells, he's mimicking what he's heard previously, he's not being original with his presentation #Ironic
But in all seriousness, I think Don should listen to Amorica. While Money Maker was obviously heavily influenced by their heroes and Southern Harmony was a massive leap, Amorica was really when the Crowes established their bona fides as a totally unique band with their own sound and aesthetic. I picked Harmony because it is my favorite album ever, and it probably is so because it was from a band my age, with a fresh take, who could pull it off in studio and - to his point - on stage.